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Williamstown Town Manager Stepping Down
Hoch has come under heavy criticism from many community members in the wake of a federal lawsuit that was filed in August against himself, the former chief of police and the town.
North Adams Fire Quickly Extinguishes Walker Street Blaze
The call came in just before 9 a.m., and Meranti said police were first to arrive at 100 Walker St. and confirmed it was a structure fire. Lt. Brent Lefebvre was on scene soon after with Engine 1.
As Anticipated, Williams Sees Bump in COVID-19 Positive Students
Williams College saw the expected number of positive COVID-19 test results in its student population as it moved into the spring semester, officials said on Thursday. Most of those positive tests were found among students before they returned to campus.
Speaker Challenges Williams College's Racist Legacy in Keynote to Daylong Dialogue
At one point, Hart pointed to the college's statements in the wake of the killing of George Floyd last May, but said those statements, like many others nationwide, ultimately ring hollow.
Williamstown Officials Express Regret Over Town Manager's Departure
Calling the town's behavior over the last six months "appalling," Andrew Hogeland indicated that "bullying" played a role in forcing Hoch out the door.
Berkshire Grand Jury Indicts Former Olympian of Indecent Assault
A former Olympian has been indicted on 12 counts of indecent assault and battery alleged to have occurred in Becket and dating back 50 years.
North Adams Mayor Bernard Will Not Run for Third Term
Mayor Thomas Bernard on Tuesday announced he would not be running for a third term. Instead, he will focus his efforts on the agenda he'd been re-elected on in 2019 that had been disrupted by the novel coronavirus.
8-Year-Old Entrepreneur Starts Apparel Line to Combat Homelessness
Following a $1,900 donation last week to the Christian Center, 8-year-old entrepreneur Hadley Light received a gift from Mayor Linda Tyer to commemorate her clothing business that benefits the homeless.
Adams to reconsider Five-Day Workweek at Town Hall
The Board of Selectmen on Wednesday asked Town Administrator Jay Green to continue investigating shifting Town Hall hours to add a half day on Friday.
Berkshires Gets Limited Vaccine Doses; Named 'High-Efficiency Collaborative'
Public Health Program Manager Laura Kittross said there is limited access everywhere and doesn't expect this to be an ongoing issue. She hopes to see additional vaccine allocations later this week and is "certainly hopeful for next week."
Community Members Raise Concern About Proposed Springside Pump Track
The Parks Commission has received a number of emails from community members regarding the possible impacts a pump track may have on the historic site.
North Adams Auditing Fire Hydrants & 'Bagging' for Out-of-Service
The Public Works Department will be "bagging" nonfunctioning hydrants to give firefighters an immediate notice of which ones aren't working.
North Adams Councilor Indicates Interest in Mayor Run
Several city councilors responded with their regrets that the mayor would not run for a third term, and saying they respected what must have been a difficult decision.
Dalton Family Sculpts Giant Snow Castle in Front Yard
With COVID-19 canceling winter break vacations, a Dalton family used the time to convert their front yard into a mammoth snow sculpture.
Williamstown DIRE Committee Chair Reports on Talk with Acting Police Chief
The chair of the town's committee on diversity, equity and inclusion Monday reported to his colleagues that he had a long conversation with the town's acting chief of police and that future dialogues between the committee and Police Department are planned.
Pittsfield Shelter at Methodist Church on the Horizon
First United Methodist Church on Fenn Street is hoping to welcome guests to its new homeless shelter in April. The 40-bed facility will be administered by ServiceNet, which currently runs the emergency COVID-19 shelter at the former St. Joseph's High School.
Williamstown to Move Forward on Searches for Interim Chief, Town Manager
Select Board Chair Jane Patton noted that an interim town manager would have the authority to appoint an interim police chief, presumably with the same community input that was anticipated when outgoing Town Manager Jason Hoch was heading the search.
North Adams Schools Creates Panel to Review COVID-19 Plans
The addendum to the memorandum of understanding was approved 6-1 by the School Committee, with member Tara Jacobs voting against, at a special meeting on Thursday. The North Adams Teachers Association had approved the amendment by a two-thirds vote of attending members prior to the meeting. The agreement is in effect as of Thursday.
Veteran Spotlight: Marine Lt. Dominick Sondrini
Growing up in Dalton, he attended the former St. Joseph's in Pittsfield and Wahconah Regional High School. After graduating from Western New England College, he was sent by the Marines to Quantico, Va., for Officer Candidate School, where he also completed the demanding Infantry Officer Course.
North Adams Housing Authority to Install Free Internet For Tenants
Jason Morin, the authority's information technology consultant, told the board on Monday that he is looking at a few different options to install internet at all properties.
Bernard Focuses on Challenges Ahead in State of the City Address
The status of the city's hydrant system and the deteriorating public safety building came to the fore early in the new year. Firefighters were stymied at two fires by nonfunctioning hydrants and the police union raised health and safety concerns about the 60-year-old police and fire station.
Pittsfield Council Votes to Ban Outdoor Commercial Cannabis Cultivation
On Tuesday, a motion to ordain a ban of large-scale, outdoor pot growing in all zoning districts of Pittsfield passed 10-1 with Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey voting in opposition.
North Adams Council to Review Hydrant Ordinance Next Week
City Councilor Jason LaForest had initially submitted the proposal for the creation of a "Fire Hydrant Division" with a request to refer to his Public Safety Committee but on Tuesday night instead asked it be fast-tracked to publication and a second reading. The rest of the council balked at taking a shortcut in the process, rejecting the motion and voting 8-1 to send the language to the General Government with only LaForest voting no.
State Wants Students Back in the Classroom in April
Gov. Charlie Baker and Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley on Tuesday outlined a phased-in process that will begin with elementary students.
Williamstown Fire District Building Committee Recommends Owner's Project Manager
Six of the eight committee members in a virtual meeting selected Colliers, which has offices in Boston and Agawam and throughout the country, from among three firms the panel interviewed.
Williamstown Trust OKs Emergency Mortgage Program; O'Connor Won't Seek Re-Election
The board member in question is Anne O'Connor, who made her colleagues on that panel the first to learn that she will not seek another three-year term on the Select Board this spring.
IS183 Adjusting to Digital Platform, Welcomes New Faculty Artists
Since last April, IS183 Art School has had 648 students enrolled virtually in its adult programming and 90 in the Young Artist Program. The art school had a returning student rate of 40 percent and was able to reach a new population of students nationally and internationally through a digital platform.
Dalton Debates Future for Troubled Green Committee
At its Monday session, Chair Robert Bishop updated the board on an investigation he has been conducting this month into complaints brought to light in January. These complaints includes a petition requesting the committee be curtailed that was brought forward by Town Planner Rebecca Slick and signed by seven other top town employees, including interim Town Manager Sandra Albano.
Cruiser, Backhoe, Bridge Top Clarksburg Capital Requests
Town officials will be considering department requests for vehicles and equipment in the fiscal 2022 budget.
Effective Monday, a Little More of State's Economy to Open Up
On Thursday, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that on Monday, March 1, the commonwealth will shift to Step 2 of Phase 3 of its COVID-19 reopening plan.
@theMarket: Stocks Versus Bitcoin
There was no contest this week. Cryptocurrencies took center stage as the stock market churned, chopped and gave investors a little indigestion. Welcome to the market's brave new world.
Tyler Street Infrastructure Plans Include Roundabout, Traffic Improvements
The Department of Community Development hosted a virtual public meeting on Wednesday for the Tyler Street Streetscape and Roundabout Project to provide the public with details on the improvements and to allow questions and feedback.
McCann School Committee Passes Fiscal 2022 Budget
Superintendent James Brosnan presented the fiscal 2022 budget Thursday night that has increased nearly $270,000 over this year's $10,038,602 spending plan.
Letter: Kudos to North Adams Vaccination Site
On Saturday, I experienced the most organized and well handled vaccine site at St. Elizabeth's of Hungary in North Adams. Not to mention, helpful, friendly and so very courteous. Everyone who help with this site should be commended. Hats off to all of you ... and, WELL DONE! ♥
Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church Appoints New Reverend
The Rev. Dr. Pooley has a BA in Religion and a BA in Psychology from The College of William and Mary and a Master of Education from the University of Virginia
Cheshire Continues Discussion on Tax Work-Off Program
The board members spent time during their workshop meeting Tuesday generating questions and concerns about the program that town meeting approved last year to help these certain members of the community reduce their property tax burden.
Berkshire Health Systems Welcomes New Board Members
Haynes and Boyd were both elected in January 2021 to three-year terms.
EforAll Seeking Applicants for 'Digital Business Survival Course'
Entrepreneurship for All Berkshire County is collaborating with R3SET Studios to run a free online "Digital Business Survival Course" to help small businesses improve their online marketing.
At-Home in Pittsfield Program Seeks Vendors For Pre-Qualified Contractor List
At-Home in Pittsfield, an exterior renovation loan program, enables eligible homeowners to renovate the outside of their homes through a combination of funding from local lenders and the City of Pittsfield.
Pittsfield Community Development To Host Public Hearing
The purpose of the public hearing is to obtain public comments and suggestions on how the city's federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds should be used to improve quality of life in the community.
Williams College 2021 Faculty Lecture Series
This series was organized by Professor of Art Stefanie Solum along with other faculty members of the Lecture Committee, which is currently chaired by Greg Mitchell, chair and associate professor of women's, gender, and sexuality studies.
Great Barrington Nomination Papers Available
Papers must be returned no later than March 23 to the Town Clerk's office.
Big Y Celebrates Supermarket Employee Day
The Food Industry Association has proclaimed this new holiday to recognize employees at every level for the work they do.
Lenox Cultural Council Awards Local Grants
The Lenox Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth.
Tyler Street Streetscape And Roundabout Project Public Meeting
The streetscape project will redesign Tyler Street to increase safety for all modes of transportation, whether it be by automobile, bus, bicycle, or on foot, while improving the safety and traffic flow at the intersection of Tyler Street, Woodlawn and Dalton avenues with the construction of a roundabout.
MCLA To Open Registration for Summer Sessions
Summer classes at MCLA offers summer classes for MCLA undergraduate and graduate students; students from other colleges; high school students; college graduates interested in Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Education (MEd) courses; or community members and others seeking courses.
BCC offering Virtual Massage Therapy Information session
Information sessions provide an opportunity for prospective and accepted Massage Therapy students to learn more about the Massage Therapy program
Green Living Seminar: Factors that Influence Electric Vehicle Adoption
Prior to becoming a professor at USC Upstate, Egbue was an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Feigenbaum Grant Helps Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary Improve Accessibility
The $100,000 grant will help improve Pleasant Valley's accessibility, allowing the wildlife sanctuary in Lenox to welcome a broader and more diverse audience for outdoor recreation and creative nature-based education programs.
